Today's show Sept 12, 2010

Sang in San Leandro this afternoon. I've made many appearances at this location and although the people are lovely, the place is somewhat dark and dreary. I wish the staff was more upbeat with the residents and attended to their social needs more.

When I first arrived and was setting up my equipment, a lovely woman perhaps in her 80's came up to me and said she had just said good bye to my sister at the front door ??? Of course I had no idea what she was talking about, but I just played along and asked how my sister was doing! She said fine and went and sat in the audience....

It was a good day. I'm still getting through my pinched nerve situation in my neck which is causing numbness and tingling in my left fingers and arm, but hopefully with meds and Physical Therapy I will get through this huge annoyance! It makes playing the violin and guitar almost impossible. Lessons have been tough while I play with my students. Hopefully I will be back to normal soon!

A Special Time

Sang a show at the Villa Thursday night...7:15 - 8:15 pm. I was surprised at the turnout, especially since the activity director called me the day before to say they weren't getting many residents attending the show in the evening. I had a good showing and they were a delightful audience!



I couldn't believe that I had left my music stand home when I first arrived at the Villa! UGH! I do sneak a peek at the words of the songs now and then, especially since I've learned seven new songs recently. I keep my whole show lineup in a binder so I needed to put the binder on something! Of course they didn't have a music stand..., So I tried the grand piano top at first...wasn't high enough. Finally I pulled their big amp/speaker over in front of me and then piled four big pillows on top of that and it sorta worked for me.... The audience seemed to enjoy my ingenuity.



Now the special moment.... Yesterday, Friday, I sang a show in Antioch. All went as expected. After the show there was a fellow, Dave, who always hangs around and visits with me. He usually will ask me for the lyrics of one of the songs, this time "Stormy Weather". He's a real sweetheart, in a wheel chair and has health issues. He's told me of his time growing up in San Francisco and we've had many good laughs. He had missed my last two shows because he had been in the hospital so we caught up a little. When it was time for me to leave, he said his usual good bye (always warning me to drive carefully) then this time he said.... "I love you" and tears welled in his eyes. Dave is not a flirt like some of the guys in these places, Dave is more of a fatherly guy and I knew that's what he meant. It was such at tender sweet moment. Of course I hugged him and we talked a little longer and then I had to leave.



The feeling is beyond words...I am so thankful that I am able to sing in places like this one and honestly, I get more out of it than the audience. It's a blessing.

Good Times With a Dear Friend and Singing

Had a fun time on Friday June 18th... my dear friend Angel came for a visit from San Jose and we started the day out by going to lunch at Faz in Pleasanton. We enjoyed our BLT salad and Calamari. Angel had a delicious looking Lemon Drop Martini, but because I was going to be singing my gig later in the day I decided to pass it up...boo hoo. It was nice to catch up and visit. Angel is a Kindergarten teacher and usually brings me a lovely bag of "leftovers" from her stash of fun stuff for kids. I am then able to go through the goodies and discover new little treasures for my grandchildren that find them in the "kid room" during their next visit.

When we returned home from the restaurant we sat in the backyard for awhile and visited. Bob was home as well and joined us. Our friendship goes back 38 years so we always have lots to talk about and share.

About 2:15 p.m. I got ready for the show, changed into my "fancy" duds and Angel and I left for Danville. My show started at 3:00 p.m. When we arrived residents had started to gather and the fun was about to begin. Angel decided to sit off to the side near the front so she could observe the audience and take in their response to the program. I have to admit that it's fun to watch the group while the show is going on.

The entertainment director was there and she strongly encourages group participation. She dances with men and women in the audience and she has an assistant who helps her and he is an attractive gentlemen perhaps in his late 60s..early 70s ?? who dances with her and also the women in the audience who would like to dance. It's all quite lively and the people who don't dance enjoy watching the ones that do!

When I was about to sing "Sway" I introduced Angel to the crowd. I briefly told them how long we had been friends and that Angel was a good dancer and liked the show "Dancing With the Stars". At this point, the entertainment director swooped in and practically demanded that Angel dance with the male assistant! Of course Angel was a good sport and agreed to get up and dance, (even in her beautiful sparkly, lavender, flip-flop sandals). The residents loved it and she proved to be quite the great dancer and her partner told her so!

Later in the program the activity director introduced a new resident to the Lodge. She announced that the woman was 103 years old!!!!! Looking at the woman you would never guess this was her age! She appeared much younger than her actual years. It was shared that she liked to dance and at this point the Activity Director asked her to stand and have a slow dance with the male assistant. After some prodding and pleading she finally got up and danced in front of her chair to "Moonglow". She actually lasted the whole song and although there wasn't much footwork, it was amazing to see her stay on her feet that long and dance in a circle! Several pictures were taken and I'm sure she will enjoy seeing them and the Lodge will share them as well.

The regular array of characters were present, the woman who solo dances with her little hat on. The gentleman who is usually in the back row with his walker singing along to all the songs. It's a good group and the wine and treats served during the music always makes the event festive.

It was especially fun for me because of Angel being there and we were able to share a few "winks" during the performance and laughs as well. I always count my blessings that I am able to enjoy such fun "work" and be paid for it as well.

Angel came back home with me and we had another short visit with Bob as we shared of our adventure at the Lodge together and then she headed back home to San Jose.

All in all a GREAT day indeed!

A Fun-filled Show at the Villa

I sang an hour show Friday afternoon, June 11th 2010 at the Villa. I'm finally feeling back in full voice and can pretty much count on the sounds coming out of my mouth to be the ones I was hoping for! I also sang Wednesday night June 9th in Castro Valley and even then my voice cut out for a few words during "All That Jazz!" So I guess it's a whole process of building everything back up again....Sheesh, it's been since April 1st since this whole voice/allergy/etc... began!

Anyway, great show on Friday afternoon. It's really the audience that makes it special. Many of the same people attend my show. They watch the calendar to see when I will be entertaining and make a point to sit near the front and often times bring friends along with them to share the event.

One couple on Friday brought along a friend. He was younger than them, could have been the age of a son...but I wasn't sure... He was of a different ethnic background, but who knows nowadays... I'm always interested to see how someone younger than the average age of the residents who attend will react to my hour of singing. This "guest" was wonderful. He stayed very attentive and enjoyed all of my stories and attempts at being funny. He added so much to the overall audience as they seemed to pick up energy from him.

One resident got there about 10 minutes late. I was in the middle of singing Peggy Lee's sassy song, "Why Don't You Do Right".... The song goes on about "give me some money too"... So as this gentlemen was coming down the hall getting ready to find a seat, he starts swaying to the music and heading towards me. Now, I've gotten to know this guy over the years of singing here. He's even presented me with bottles of wine after the show! We start playing off of each other with the words to the song. He then, as if on cue or as if we had rehearsed it..pulls out a money clip filled thick with CASH! He offers me what I want and the audience just cracked up as I did too! It was all so fun and again, moments like this is what makes the show so special.

Later on in the performance a woman in the front row asked me if my husband liked to dance. I went on to explain to the audience that yes indeed, my husband will get up and dance with me usually, but that many times I will dance solo or dance with my girlfriends. I said, " I have many fun, wild, girlfriends..." And as if on cue, my fun friend with the money clip suggests, "bring 'em on over next time!" Needless to say, we all lost control laughing!

As I sang "The Very Thought Of You" I noticed that a woman near the front started to dab her eyes. I heard her say to the person next to her that the song was making her cry... The more I sang, the more she started to cry. I knew she must be re-living a special memory or moment. When I finished I went over to her and hugged her. I told her and the audience that it's amazing how a song can bring back memories. I shared that I also get emotional at hearing certain songs as they take me back to younger days or remind me of a prom or special date... Again, this added to the special moments during this show.

I would be remiss if I didn't mention a little more about the "money clip" guy. Picture a guy about 72 years old, spry, twinkle in his blue eyes, an easy, ready smile, former musician (sax player). He is all those things, but his real age is 93! I don't know if it's attitude, good genes or what, but there is no way this guy looks or acts his age! Amazing!

Next show is June 18th, in Danville. Hope it's as good as this one was!

It's Been Awhile!

I haven't stayed current with my entries as I have struggled with my health over the last two months! My gosh, starting in beginning April, I had laryngitis and it really never went away..until, well, it's still not completely gone! But I'm almost back to normal...perhaps 95% healthy!

Sheesh! Enough! I've visited the doctor four times, been on three different medications, and tried a variety of remedies........ allergies, sinus, infection, whatever.... I hope it goes away for a long time!

So, I'm back to singing. I had to cancel three gigs, which was a killer for me. Got back to singing last week. I sang at Villa San Ramon and they know me well there. I explained that I had been sick, etc. blah blah, and they were very understanding. I sang an hour show which was very successful, but I did have to stop and find water half way through! At the end of the show I heard an audience member say, "you can tell she's happy THAT'S over!" HA! She was right! I kept thinking, I MADE IT!

Sang with some friends in Moraga last week. I only sang four songs as it was somebody else's gig. I will post a link to a little of my performance! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Uj6isnPrn4 The link has three songs, it's about 4 minutes long, I think the middle and end are the best if you don't want to watch the whole thing!

Sang again today in Antioch. Great show! I brought my guitar as well and sang, Folsom Prison by Johnny Cash, Wayward Wind, Maria, Green Door to name a few! It's exhausting to play guitar and sing while Standing up...I didn't bring a stool and they didn't have one. Perhaps I will bring my own next time! I think it was about 20 minutes of guitar and the rest was with recorded backup music.

The lovely lady, Laverne, introduced herself for about the 6th time. She loves my singing, says she's never caught my act before, and we always visit. Of course she says this every time I'm there, she just doesn't remember it! Such a lovely woman...

So, vege garden is awesome. We're eating lettuce, green onions, basil, dill, and loving it! All so fresh and delicious! I ate my first blackberry today! YUM! Also have had a few strawberries!

Bunko was last night, won $10 as part of the boobie prize! Fine with me to be the biggest loser!

Had a recital in our home for all of my music students! It was a wonderful day filled with music. My students have nerves of steel! Nobody seemed nervous which is what I encouraged, but I'm afraid I took on all of their nerves! I think I hid it well though! I made cookies for after the show and we all went out on the deck and enjoyed the treats, coffee and punch! Pictures are posted on Facebook!

All else is well in my world.

Singing With A Challenge!

Saturday was my first gig after my bout with laryngitis and an ear infection. My hearing has not returned to my right ear and feels plugged up with a constant ring going on. BUT, the show must go on and my voice is back for the most part so Saturday I sang for an hour at Villa San Ramon.

I have performed at the Villa longer than any other place I perform. They know me and I have gotten to know many of their residence and we have a wonderful relationship. I had to cancel a show there a few weeks ago when I had laryngitis so they knew I'd been ill. They were very welcoming to me and concerned about how I was feeling. Before I started the show I gave them an update on my issues and jokingly called the show my "comeback tour". I also warned them I wasn't sure what would be happening with my voice once I got going and a lovely woman in the front row reassured me that I was "with family"..... The fact that I get paid for these gigs sometimes amazes me! Yes, I am lucky!

The annoying part was that I felt I didn't have a good control over my sound. I felt the music might be too loud for the audience, but yet I had to have it louder than usual so I could hear it! UGH! Nobody seemed to have an issue with it except me, so I guessed I was being over sensitive about it.

I could tell I wasn't in full voice and had to be careful in my mid-range (the shifting area between head voice and chest voice). Usually I make a smooth transition, but felt it was not as effortless as usual. My energy level was not totally back either and I was careful with my movement and song selection.

Overall, I'm glad I went for it and will sing again this Friday...hopefully with my ear being back to normal! Time will tell.

Making Gnocci

Now I am no expert on these little delights, that's for sure! I had only made them once before about 20 years ago, however, I've eaten them many times at dinner parties or in restaurants, so I knew how they should look and how they should taste.


I had made Italian gravy recently and got to thinking how tasty it would be to add gnocci plus the gravy to our Easter dinner menu. Plus I happened to spot some wonderful looking potatoes at Costco...add it all up and I was ready to dive into gnocci making!


I tried to make each one about 1" long, but perhaps should have aimed to make them more about 3/4" wide. They flowed right off the fork and I was pleased at the looks of them. I placed all the pans of gnocci in the freezer and once they were frozen I placed them in several plastic bags.

About half an hour before we ate dinner, my son Ryan and I decided we'd better get these little potato pillows ready.... By the way, Ryan was an excellent helper! I was starting to get stressed and anxious about the whole thing and he kept reminding me that it should be fun and whatever happened, (even if they came out mushy) at least we tried. He also suggested a cocktail for me might lighten my mood, so I had one! That did the trick!


The first several gnocci we boiled bounced up like there were supposed to, but I think I let them sit there too long before I picked them out with a strainer because they started to fall apart. So we decided to get the next few quicker which seemed to help. Ryan was also my taste tester. We had heated our gravy up which I had made two days before and put some of that in a "taster bowl" for him to critique. At this point, he suggested adding salt and to sift in a small amount of flour to the bag of remaining frozen gnocci. We put a few more gnocci in the boiling water and at last things started going better!


At this point I used a large platter to spread gravy around the bottom and started putting the gnocci on the platter, then a little more gravy, more gnocci, and so on. When we were finished the BBQ'd tri-tip (another dinner menu item) wasn't quite finished being carved so I placed the gnocci platter in the oven to stay warm. I am really glad I did this as it kept them hot and the platter was heated too.


Whew! We did it! I could not have done it without Ryan's help and his tasting as we went along! We have always worked well together and can laugh off things that don't go right! I look forward to our next kitchen adventure!

Music Lessons on Wednesday!

Okay, it's a full Wednesday and I'm getting used to it. I had a new student, a boy I knew from the elementary school where I was the vocal music teacher for seven years. He is now in 5th grade and I knew him right away, along with his little sister who is now in 3rd grade. He will take guitar from me on Wednesdays and his sister will return on Thursdays for beginning piano! He's a LEFTY! YIKES! Not quite sure how I will handle it, but I have read that if possible a lefty should learn the right handed way...that way they can play their friends guitars, or try them out at the stores,etc.... very few guitars are strung left-handed... Anyway, I am having them speak to the local music store and see what they say.... He has never been involved with any kind of music so we are learning to read music as well!

After his lesson I was supposed to have a 4:30 pm lesson, but they had to cancel due to illness.... Then my 5:00pm lesson came and she stayed for an hour.... part violin and part beginning piano! She's so open to learning. Her mother calls her a soldier because she is so disciplined! I have to agree! An amazing child, I told her she should be cloned! A fun afternoon of music!

After lessons I enjoyed some wonderful Chicken tortilla soup that I had made yesterday! I am now going to turn on American Idol and enjoy some fun there. I already saw who is leaving on my yahoo news, but I still enjoy the show!

Bob is in bed already watching basketball, so I am on my own!

singing a gig March 26th 2010

A good gig on Friday in Antioch. It was happy hour and everyone enjoyed their beverages and snacks. I was asked again by the fellow that sits in the back who reminds me of Don Amichi if I would learn the Eydie Gorme song "If You Came Into My Life".... of course if I can find the arrangement that works for me! I love singing Eydie's songs!

The woman that I have met for the first time about 8 times so far introduced herself again. She is a beautiful woman and always dressed in a lovely outfit with jewelry to match. Obviously she's part of their "memory care" unit and just can't remember me month to month... She's very gracious and always so sweet to me.

Let's see.... The woman who's vocal chords have been affected by a stroke was there. She's a sweety who talks in a very loud tone and drives the other residents mad! The guy in the wheelchair who is as sharp as a tack stuck around to have some visiting time...he's from San Francisco, grew up there as a kid...lots of good stories.

All in all a good show with a full crowd. They are a quiet group overall, but so kind and seem to enjoy the music.

Lessons, lessons...

It's funny...but I was hoping for more students a few weeks ago, and then out of the blue I've ended up with five more lessons! A family from out of town just moved to San Ramon and got my name from somewhere...they can't remember, but I'm guessing it was from the House of Woodwinds who give my name out for various lessons. The family came by the house to meet me in hopes of signing up for piano lessons. (I'm not much of a piano player and don't pretend to be so, but I can give beginning keyboard/piano lessons and the basics of learning music) Once they reach a certain point, they must move on to someone who is focused on piano. Anyway, we had a lovely visit and they arrived at the end of another student's piano lesson and were able to hear him play. After our chat they decided to have their student take piano and violin! I'm excited because this is a nice family and the girl is very talented, plus they live close by.

Then I added a new guitar student who is in the 6th grade. I remember her from Greenbrook when she attended there. She is a singer as well and would like to be able to sing and play, (my speciality).... A few days after she began her lessons one of her friend's mother emailed me regarding lessons as well for her son! I was able to email her back info about myself and included the link to my website. Now not only her son wants to take guitar lessons, but her daughter wants to take beginning piano! So all in all, it was a fruitful week to gather more students!

Now finding the time to fit these lessons into my schedule is the trick. I don't teach on Tuesdays as I am busy with my grandchildren. Fridays are out because most of my singing gigs are on Friday afternoons, so I will add them in where I can during the week plus squeeze in another Saturday lesson. Of course I can cancel any of my lessons if something comes up or re-schedule...I love the flexibility!

I've got a gig this afternoon in Antioch.... I will be singing during their Happy Hour which is always fun.

Singing March 19th Villa San Ramon

Sang for the Wine & Cheese / March Birthdays celebration at the Villa on Friday afternoon from 3 - 4 pm. It was a wonderful time and all the residence loved their various beverages and snacks. A birthday cake was provided as well for the birthday people to share with all. One of the women celebrating her birthday introduced herself and informed us that she was still 90 because her actual birthday wasn't until next week.... love it! I visited with this particular woman after the show, not only did she look about 70 years old, but was dressed in a lovely pants outfit and shared that she still drives, shops and enjoys life. I asked about her own parents and if they had also lived long lives and she was pleased to share that her parents lived to the ripe old age of 89 and 90! I think the force is with her!

I decided to sing a few St. Pat songs to get started and then went to my usual program which included, Come On A My Place, Dancing Cheek to Cheek, I've Got Rhythm, Stormy Weather... The audience at the Villa is animated and fun. It makes for a very pleasurable singing experience for me and hopefully the audience feels it!

A great day of singing!

St. Pat's Day

Had a fun day singing a gig at the Pinole Senior Center on St. Pat's Day. They had about 200 people attend their lunch and it was so fun singing for them while they ate and enjoyed the day. They were very appreciative and generous with their compliments and applause. I sang about 20 minutes of Irish songs then went to my regular program. That place really knows how to put on a special lunch for their members. They serve wine, beer, and margaritas for an extra fee, but I think this makes it more of a social event and really brings in lots of people!

While at home during the same day I took a few pictures of our backyard and uploaded them to my computer. Then I took a video of me singing the Irish Blessing. I used my Vegas Software program to put the singing and pictures of the backyard into a file and uploaded it to You Tube and shared it on Facebook! I love the thought of someday my great-grandchildren can hear me singing...Plus I think it's fun to share with my friends, like giving them a personal card!

Violin Lesson

Yesterday I taught violin to a great kid in 7th grade. He has a funny sense of humor in a sarcastic way and really not that interested in the violin. He's very honest about that fact that he never opens his violin case to practice and only plays when he is with me. He played trumpet in elementary school but has given that up to be in drama. I enjoy our time together and totally understand where he's coming from. I try to make the lessons as enjoyable as possible and still teach the vocabulary of music (I remind him that these words will help him in a SAT test someday) and understanding the fundamentals of playing the instrument. We sight read music yesterday and I am always surprised at how well he can pull it off. He knows more than he thinks he does. He's very respectful and it is so much fun to TRY to get him into the violin!

A beautiful Sunday

Was up early this morning and took Bob to the airport. We really missed that hour that was taken away by Daylight Savings time.

Worked most of the day in the backyard with trimming bushes in the far end of the yard and planted a few more vegetable seeds in containers. From the seeds planted last Sunday I am finally seeing Bib Lettuce sprouting up! Hooray!

Taught Two Music Lessons Today

Started the day out teaching violin to a 4th grade girl. She is struggling, but we still have lots of fun together learning about music and enjoying the violin. She has an excellent ear and a good singing voice, so is thrown off many times by thinking she is on the wrong note but only because her finger is a little off on the fingerboard. I love her spirit and willingness to keep trying and she has a fabulous sense of humor...she told me she got it from her dad!

After the violin lesson Derek arrives for a (keyboard) lesson. He's in the 2nd grade and is an amazing child. I am friends with his family and explained that I really don't teach piano as it is not my main instrument. We settled upon introduction to keyboard and this would give him a chance to learn how to read music. He has incredible finger memory and remembers everything I tell him about music. He loves the classics and enjoys hearing the stories about the various composers and why they wrote the music. When he plays various pieces it sounds like he's played for years, but it has only been one year and most of that time he didn't have a piano at home and never practiced! I've told his family that he will need to see a "real" piano teacher starting this summer because he has the talent to be awesome!

Great day!

Gig 3/12/10

Sang in Danville today... This retirement facility is filled with a fun uplifting staff! I sang from 3-4 pm which is their Happy Hour! The huge room filled with a fireplace, grand piano, high ceilings and regal columns looks more like the lobby of a Hilton or Marriott Hotel. The residents are seated in comfy chairs and small wood tables are placed near them to place their wine (in real wine glasses) and treats. I've seen Happy Hours like this in many places where I sing, but what makes Diablo Lodge unique is that the activity director dances and interacts with the residents while I am singing. Among the plentiful staff there is a man who works there, I think he's an all around helper which includes driving the van for field trips, etc... anyway, he attends Happy Hour and dances with many of the women including the director. The residence love it and so do I! It's almost like having a floor show in front of the area where I am singing! They were all lovely and I had a lovely conversation with a woman who turned 100 last year.... Of course she was beautifully dressed right down to her pearls. She told me that she has had a long wonderful life and so happy I was part of it! Talk about humbling.

I will be up late tonight picking Andy up from the San Francisco Airport. He has been on a job interview in Minneapolis. They flew him back on Wednesday for a Thursday/Friday session. Can't wait to hear all the details of what transpired during his time there.

Gig Thursday 3/11/10

I sang a show yesterday at a retirement home in Antioch. It's a regular monthly show and I have gotten to know many of the residence. They are extremely welcoming to me in their own quiet way. There are unique personalities that are fun to interact with.

Being that it's close to St. Pat's Day, I did a 20 min. set of Irish tunes. They especially enjoyed “When Irish Eyes Are Smiling” and “Who Threw the Overalls In Mrs. Murphy's Chowder” :-)
A guy who always sits in the same chair in the back and looks sorta like Don Amichi (old movie star for you young people) always gives me a kiss and hug and I leave smelling like his cologne. He had requested that I learn “I've Got a Crush On You” which I did, and every time I sing it he gives me special applause! Yesterday he asked me to learn another one by Edie Gormet, but for the life of me I can't remember which one! I'll have to look through her songs and hopefully it will come to me.

Also special is a fellow named Dave who usually waits for me by the door, he's very spirited and sharp. I sang a song by Perry Como called “Magic Moments”.... some of the lyrics say “The time that the floor, fell out of my car, when I put the clutch down!” After the song Dave yelled out that it must have been a Toyota! He's hilarious!

A man who has requested “Tiny Bubbles” every month for the past two years.... told me that he thought I sang it last month and could I please do it again! Of Course!
There are just so many sweet people, hopefully I can share more stories...